Beforethosefataldecreesinlifeareexecuted，therearealwayssecretprevisionsandwarningomens。Wheneverythingyetseemscalm，weareawarethatthestormiscoming。Erethehappydayswereover，twoatleastofthathome—partyfeltthattheyweredrawingtoaclose;andwereuneasy，andonthelook—outforthecloudwhichwastoobscuretheircalm。
\'TwaseasyforHarrytosee，howevermuchhisladypersistedinobedienceandadmirationforherhusband，thatmylordtiredofhisquietlife，andgrewweary，andthentesty，atthosegentlebondswithwhichhiswifewouldhaveheldhim。AstheysaytheGrandLamaofThibetisverymuchfatiguedbyhischaracterofdivinity，andyawnsonhisaltarashisbonzeskneelandworshiphim，manyahome—godgrowsheartilysickofthereverencewithwhichhisfamily—devoteespursuehim，andsighsforfreedomandforhisoldlife，andtobeoffthepedestalonwhichhisdependantswouldhavehimsitforever，whilsttheyadorehim，andplyhimwithflowers，andhymns，andincense，andflattery;——so，afterafewyearsofhismarriagemyhonestLordCastlewoodbegantotire;allthehigh—
flownrapturesanddevotionalceremonieswithwhichhiswife，hischiefpriestess，treatedhim，firstsenthimtosleep，andthendrovehimoutofdoors;forthetruthmustbetold，thatmylordwasajollygentleman，withverylittleoftheaugustordivineinhisnature，thoughhisfondwifepersistedinreveringit——and，besides，hehadtopayapenaltyforthislove，whichpersonsofhisdispositionseldomliketodefray:and，inaword，ifhehadalovingwife，hadaveryjealousandexactingone。Thenheweariedofthisjealousy;thenhebrokeawayfromit;thencame，nodoubt，complaintsandrecriminations;then，perhaps，promisesofamendmentnotfulfilled;thenupbraidingsnotthemorepleasantbecausetheyweresilent，andonlysadlooksandtearfuleyesconveyedthem。
Then，perhaps，thepairreachedthatotherstagewhichisnotuncommoninmarriedlife，whenthewomanperceivesthatthegodofthehoneymoonisagodnomore;onlyamortalliketherestofus——
andsoshelooksintoherheart，andlo！vacuaesedesetinaniaarcana。Andnow，supposingourladytohaveafinegeniusandabrilliantwitofherown，andthemagicspellandinfatuationremovedfromherwhichhadledhertoworshipasagodaveryordinarymortal——andwhatfollows？Theylivetogether，andtheydinetogether，andtheysay\"mydear\"and\"mylove\"asheretofore;
butthemanishimself，andthewomanherself:thatdreamofloveisoveraseverythingelseisoverinlife;asflowersandfury，andgriefsandpleasures，areover。
VerylikelytheLadyCastlewoodhadceasedtoadoreherhusbandherselflongbeforeshegotoffherknees，orwouldallowherhouseholdtodiscontinueworshippinghim。Todohimjustice，mylordneverexactedthissubservience:helaughedandjokedanddrankhisbottle，andsworewhenhewasangry，muchtoofamiliarlyforanyonepretendingtosublimity;anddidhisbesttodestroytheceremonialwithwhichhiswifechosetosurroundhim。AnditrequirednogreatconceitonyoungEsmond\'sparttoseethathisownbrainswerebetterthanhispatron\'s，who，indeed，neverassumedanyairsofsuperiorityoverthelad，oroveranydependantofhis，savewhenhewasdispleased，inwhichcasehewouldexpresshismindinoathsveryfreely;andwho，onthecontrary，perhaps，spoiled\"ParsonHarry，\"ashecalledyoungEsmond，byconstantlypraisinghispartsandadmiringhisboyishstockoflearning。
Itmayseemungraciousinonewhohasreceivedahundredfavorsfromhispatrontospeakinanybutareverentialmannerofhiselders;butthepresentwriterhashaddescendantsofhisown，whomhehasbroughtupwithaslittleaspossibleoftheservilityatpresentexactedbyparentsfromchildren（underwhichmaskofdutythereoftenlurksindifference，contempt，orrebellion）:andashewouldhavehisgrandsonsbelieveorrepresenthimtobenotaninchtallerthanNaturehasmadehim:so，withregardtohispastacquaintances，hewouldspeakwithoutanger，butwithtruth，asfarasheknowsit，neitherextenuatingnorsettingdownaughtinmalice。
Solong，then，astheworldmovedaccordingtoLordCastlewood\'swishes，hewasgood—humoredenough;ofatempernaturallysprightlyandeasy，likingtojoke，especiallywithhisinferiors，andcharmedtoreceivethetributeoftheirlaughter。Allexercisesofthebodyhecouldperformtoperfection——shootingatamarkandflying，breakinghorses，ridingatthering，pitchingthequoit，playingatallgameswithgreatskill。Andnotonlydidhedothesethingswell，buthethoughthedidthemtoperfection;hencehewasoftentrickedabouthorses，whichhepretendedtoknowbetterthananyjockey;wasmadetoplayatballandbilliardsbysharperswhotookhismoney，andcamebackfromLondonwofullypoorereachtimethanhewent，asthestateofhisaffairstestifiedwhenthesuddenaccidentcamebywhichhiscareerwasbroughttoanend。
Hewasfondoftheparadeofdress，andpassedasmanyhoursdailyathistoiletteasanelderlycoquette。Atenthpartofhisdaywasspentinthebrushingofhisteethandtheoilingofhishair，whichwascurlingandbrown，andwhichhedidnotliketoconcealunderaperiwig，suchasalmosteverybodyofthattimewore。（Wehavethelibertyofourhairbacknow，butpowderandpomatumalongwithit。When，Iwonder，willthesemonstrouspoll—taxesofouragebewithdrawn，andmenallowedtocarrytheircolors，black，red，orgray，asNaturemadethem？）Andashelikedhertobewelldressed，hisladysparednopainsinthatmattertopleasehim;
indeed，shewoulddressherheadorcutitoffifhehadbiddenher。
ItwasawondertoyoungEsmond，servingaspagetomylordandlady，tohear，dayafterday，tosuchcompanyascame，thesameboisterousstoriestoldbymylord，atwhichhisladyneverfailedtosmileorholddownherhead，andDoctorTushertoburstoutlaughingattheproperpoint，orcry，\"Fie，mylord，remembermycloth！\"butwithsuchafaintshowofresistance，thatitonlyprovokedmylordfurther。LordCastlewood\'sstoriesrosebydegrees，andbecamestrongerafterthealeatdinnerandthebottleafterwards;myladyalwaystakingflightaftertheveryfirstglasstoChurchandKing，andleavingthegentlementodrinktherestofthetoastsbythemselves。
And，asHarryEsmondwasherpage，healsowascalledfromdutyatthistime。\"Mylordhaslivedinthearmyandwithsoldiers，\"shewouldsaytothelad，\"amongstwhomgreatlicenseisallowed。Youhavehadadifferentnurture，andItrustthesethingswillchangeasyougrowolder;notthatanyfaultattachestomylord，whoisoneofthebestandmostreligiousmeninthiskingdom。\"Andverylikelyshebelievedso。\'Tisstrangewhatamanmaydo，andawomanyetthinkhimanangel。
AndasEsmondhastakentruthforhismotto，itmustbeowned，evenwithregardtothatotherangel，hismistress，thatshehadafaultofcharacterwhichflawedherperfections。Withtheothersexperfectlytolerantandkindly，ofherownshewasinvariablyjealous;andaproofthatshehadthisviceis，thatthoughshewouldacknowledgeathousandfaultsthatshehadnot，tothiswhichshehadshecouldneverbegottoown。ButiftherecameawomanwithevenasemblanceofbeautytoCastlewood，shewassosuretofindoutsomewronginher，thatmylord，laughinginhisjollyway，wouldoftenjokewithherconcerningherfoible。Comelyservant—maidsmightcomeforhire，butnoneweretakenatCastlewood。Thehousekeeperwasold;mylady\'sownwaiting—womansquinted，andwasmarkedwiththesmall—pox;thehousemaidsandscullionwereordinarycountrywenches，towhomLadyCastlewoodwaskind，ashernaturemadehertoeverybodyalmost;butassoonasevershehadtodowithaprettywoman，shewascold，retiring，andhaughty。Thecountryladiesfoundthisfaultinher;andthoughthemenalladmiredher，theirwivesanddaughterscomplainedofhercoldnessandaims，andsaidthatCastlewoodwaspleasanterinLadyJezebel\'stime（asthedowagerwascalled）thanatpresent。
Somefewwereofmymistress\'sside。OldLadyBlenkinsopJointure，whohadbeenatcourtinKingJamestheFirst\'stime，alwaystookherside;andsodidoldMistressCrookshank，BishopCrookshank\'sdaughter，ofHexton，who，withsomemoreoftheirlike，pronouncedmyladyanangel:buttheprettywomenwerenotofthismind;andtheopinionofthecountrywasthatmylordwastiedtohiswife\'sapron—strings，andthatsheruledoverhim。
ThesecondfightwhichHarryEsmondhad，wasatfourteenyearsofage，withBryanHawkshaw，SirJohnHawkshaw\'sson，ofBramblebrook，who，advancingthisopinion，thatmyladywasjealousandhenpeckedmylord，putHarryinsuchafury，thatHarryfellonhimandwithsuchrage，thattheotherboy，whowastwoyearsolderandbyfarbiggerthanhe，hadbyfartheworstoftheassault，untilitwasinterruptedbyDoctorTusherwalkingoutofthedinner—room。
BryanHawkshawgotupbleedingatthenose，having，indeed，beensurprised，asmanyastrongermanmighthavebeen，bythefuryoftheassaultuponhim。
\"Youlittlebastardbeggar！\"hesaid，\"I\'llmurderyouforthis！\"
Andindeedhewasbigenough。
\"Bastardornot，\"saidtheother，grindinghisteeth，\"Ihaveacoupleofswords，andifyouliketomeetme，asaman，ontheterraceto—night——\"
AndheretheDoctorcomingup，thecolloquyoftheyoungchampionsended。Verylikely，bigashewas，Hawkshawdidnotcaretocontinueafightwithsuchaferociousopponentasthishadbeen。
CHAPTERVIII。
AFTERGOODFORTUNECOMESEVIL。
SincemyLadyMaryWortleyMontagubroughthomethecustomofinoculationfromTurkey（aperilouspracticemanydeemit，andonlyauselessrushingintothejawsofdanger），Ithinktheseverityofthesmall—pox，thatdreadfulscourgeoftheworld，hassomewhatbeenabatedinourpartofit;andrememberinmytimehundredsoftheyoungandbeautifulwhohavebeencarriedtothegrave，orhaveonlyrisenfromtheirpillowsfrightfullyscarredanddisfiguredbythismalady。Manyasweetfacehathleftitsrosesonthebedonwhichthisdreadfulandwitheringblighthaslaidthem。Inmyearlydays，thispestilencewouldenteravillageanddestroyhalfitsinhabitants:atitsapproach，itmaywellbeimagined，notonlythebeautifulbutthestrongestwerealarmed，andthosefledwhocould。Onedayintheyear1694（Ihavegoodreasontorememberit），DoctorTusherranintoCastlewoodHouse，withafaceofconsternation，sayingthatthemaladyhadmadeitsappearanceattheblacksmith\'shouseinthevillage，andthatoneofthemaidstherewasdowninthesmall—pox。
Theblacksmith，besideshisforgeandironsforhorses，hadanale—
houseformen，whichhiswifekept，andhiscompanysatonbenchesbeforetheinn—door，lookingatthesmithywhiletheydranktheirbeer。Now，therewasaprettygirlatthisinn，thelandlord\'smencalledNancySievewright，abouncing，fresh—lookinglass，whosefacewasasredasthehollyhocksoverthepalesofthegardenbehindtheinn。AtthistimeHarryEsmondwasaladofsixteen，andsomehowinhiswalksandramblesitoftenhappenedthathefellinwithNancySievewright\'sbonnyface;ifhedidnotwantsomethingdoneattheblacksmith\'shewouldgoanddrinkaleatthe\"ThreeCastles，\"orfindsomepretextforseeingthispoorNancy。
Poorthing，Harrymeantorimaginednoharm;andshe，nodoubt，aslittle，butthetruthistheywerealwaysmeeting——inthelanes，orbythebrook，oratthegarden—palings，oraboutCastlewood:itwas，\"Lord，Mr。Henry！\"and\"howdoyoudo，Nancy？\"manyandmanyatimeintheweek。\'Tissurprisingthemagneticattractionwhichdrawspeopletogetherfromeversofar。IblushasIthinkofpoorNancynow，inaredbodiceandbuxompurplecheeksandacanvaspetticoat;andthatIdevisedschemes，andsettraps，andmadespeechesinmyheart，whichIseldomhadcouragetosaywheninpresenceofthathumbleenchantress，whoknewnothingbeyondmilkingacow，andopenedherblackeyeswithwonderwhenImadeoneofmyfinespeechesoutofWallerorOvid。PoorNancy！fromthemidstoffar—offyearsthinehonestcountryfacebeamsout;andIrememberthykindvoiceasifIhadheardityesterday。
WhenDoctorTusherbroughtthenewsthatthesmall—poxwasatthe\"ThreeCastles，\"whitheratramper，itwassaid，hadbroughtthemalady，HenryEsmond\'sfirstthoughtwasofalarmforpoorNancy，andthenofshameanddisquietfortheCastlewoodfamily，lesthemighthavebroughtthisinfection;forthetruthisthatMr。Harryhadbeensittinginabackroomforanhourthatday，whereNancySievewrightwaswithalittlebrotherwhocomplainedofheadache，andwaslyingstupefiedandcrying，eitherinachairbythecornerofthefire，orinNancy\'slap，oronmine。
LittleLadyBeatrixscreamedoutatDr。Tusher\'snews;andmylordcriedout，\"Godblessme！\"Hewasabraveman，andnotafraidofdeathinanyshapebutthis。Hewasveryproudofhispinkcomplexionandfairhair——buttheideaofdeathbysmall—poxscaredhimbeyondallotherends。\"Wewilltakethechildrenandrideawayto—morrowtoWalcote:\"thiswasmylord\'ssmallhouse，inheritedfromhismother，neartoWinchester。
\"Thatisthebestrefugeincasethediseasespreads，\"saidDr。
Tusher。\"\'Tisawfultothinkofitbeginningattheale—house;
halfthepeopleofthevillagehavevisitedthatto—day，ortheblacksmith\'s，whichisthesamething。MyclerkNahumlodgeswiththem——Icannevergointomyreading—deskandhavethatfellowsonearme。IWON\'Thavethatmannearme。\"
\"Ifaparishionerdyinginthesmall—poxsenttoyou，wouldyounotgo？\"askedmylady，lookingupfromherframeofwork，withhercalmblueeyes。
\"BytheLord，Iwouldn\'t，\"saidmylord。
\"Wearenotinapopishcountry;andasickmandothnotabsolutelyneedabsolutionandconfession，\"saidtheDoctor。\"\'Tistruetheyareacomfortandahelptohimwhenattainable，andtobeadministeredwithhopeofgood。Butinacasewherethelifeofaparishpriestinthemidstofhisflockishighlyvaluabletothem，heisnotcalledupontoriskit（andtherewiththelives，futureprospects，andtemporal，evenspiritualwelfareofhisownfamily）
forthesakeofasingleperson，whoisnotverylikelyinaconditioneventounderstandthereligiousmessagewhereofthepriestisthebringer——beinguneducated，andlikewisestupefiedordeliriousbydisease。Ifyourladyshiporhislordship，myexcellentgoodfriendandpatron，weretotakeit……\"
\"Godforbid！\"criedmylord。
\"Amen，\"continuedDr。Tusher。\"Amentothatprayer，myverygoodlord！foryoursakeIwouldlaymylifedown\"——and，tojudgefromthealarmedlookoftheDoctor\'spurpleface，youwouldhavethoughtthatthatsacrificewasabouttobecalledforinstantly。
Tolovechildren，andbegentlewiththem，wasaninstinct，ratherthanamerit，inHenryEsmond;somuchso，thathethoughtalmostwithasortofshameofhislikingforthem，andofthesoftnessintowhichitbetrayedhim;andonthisdaythepoorfellowhadnotonlyhadhisyoungfriend，themilkmaid\'sbrother，onhisknee，buthadbeendrawingpicturesandtellingstoriestothelittleFrankCastlewood，whohadoccupiedthesameplaceforanhourafterdinner，andwasnevertiredofHenry\'stales，andhispicturesofsoldiersandhorses。Asluckwouldhaveit，Beatrixhadnotonthateveningtakenherusualplace，whichgenerallyshewasgladenoughtohave，uponhertutor\'slap。ForBeatrix，fromtheearliesttime，wasjealousofeverycaresswhichwasgiventoherlittlebrotherFrank。Shewouldflingawayevenfromthematernalarms，ifshesawFrankhadbeentherebeforeher;insomuchthatLadyEsmondwasobligednottoshowherloveforhersoninthepresenceofthelittlegirl，andembracedoneortheotheralone。
ShewouldturnpaleandredwithrageifshecaughtsignsofintelligenceoraffectionbetweenFrankandhismother:wouldsitapart，andnotspeakforawholenight，ifshethoughttheboyhadabetterfruitoralargercakethanhers;wouldflingawayaribbonifhehadone;andfromtheearliestage，sittingupinherlittlechairbythegreatfireplaceoppositetothecornerwhereLadyCastlewoodcommonlysatatherembroidery，wouldutterinfantinesarcasmsaboutthefavorshowntoherbrother。These，ifspokeninthepresenceofLordCastlewood，tickledandamusedhishumor;hewouldpretendtoloveFrankbest，anddandleandkisshim，androarwithlaughteratBeatrix\'sjealousy。Butthetruthis，mylorddidnotoftenwitnessthesescenes，norverymuchtroublethequietfiresideatwhichhisladypassedmanylongevenings。Mylordwashuntingalldaywhentheseasonadmitted;hefrequentedallthecock—fightsandfairsinthecountry，andwouldridetwentymilestoseeamainfought，ortwoclownsbreaktheirheadsatacudgelling—match;andhelikedbettertositinhisparlordrinkingaleandpunchwithJackandTom，thaninhiswife\'sdrawing—room:whither，ifhecame，hebroughtonlytoooftenbloodshoteyes，ahiccuppingvoice，andareelinggait。Themanagementofthehouse，andtheproperty，thecareofthefewtenantsandthevillagepoor，andtheaccountsoftheestate，wereinthehandsofhisladyandheryoungsecretary，HarryEsmond。Mylordtookchargeofthestables，thekennel，andthecellar——andhefilledthisandemptiedittoo。
Soitchancedthatuponthisveryday，whenpoorHarryEsmondhadhadtheblacksmith\'sson，andthepeer\'sson，alikeuponhisknee，littleBeatrix，whowouldcometohertutorwillinglyenoughwithherbookandherwriting，hadrefusedhim，seeingtheplaceoccupiedbyherbrother，and，luckilyforher，hadsatatthefurtherendoftheroom，awayfromhim，playingwithaspanieldogwhichshehad，（andforwhich，byfitsandstarts，shewouldtakeagreataffection，）andtalkingatHarryEsmondoverhershoulder，asshepretendedtocaressthedog，sayingthatFidowouldloveher，andshewouldloveFido，andnothingbutFidoallherlife。
When，then，thenewswasbroughtthatthelittleboyatthe\"ThreeCastles\"wasillwiththesmall—pox，poorHarryEsmondfeltashockofalarm，notsomuchforhimselfasforhismistress\'sson，whomhemighthavebroughtintoperil。Beatrix，whohadpoutedsufficiently，（andwho，wheneverastrangerappeared，began，frominfancyalmost，toplayofflittlegracestocatchhisattention，）
herbrotherbeingnowgonetobed，wasfortakingherplaceuponEsmond\'sknee:for，thoughtheDoctorwasveryobsequioustoher，shedidnotlikehim，becausehehadthickbootsanddirtyhands（thepertyoungmisssaid），andbecauseshehatedlearningthecatechism。
ButassheadvancedtowardsEsmondfromthecornerwhereshehadbeensulking，hestartedbackandplacedthegreatchaironwhichhewassittingbetweenhimandher——sayingintheFrenchlanguagetoLadyCastlewood，withwhomtheyoungladhadreadmuch，andwhomhehadperfectedinthistongue——Madam，thechildmustnotapproachme;ImusttellyouthatIwasattheblacksmith\'sto—day，andhadhislittleboyuponmylap。\"
\"Whereyoutookmysonafterwards，\"LadyCastlewoodsaid，veryangry，andturningred。\"Ithankyou，sir，forgivinghimsuchcompany。Beatrix，\"shesaidinEnglish，\"IforbidyoutotouchMr。
Esmond。Comeaway，child——cometoyourroom。Cometoyourroom——I
wishyourReverencegood—night——andyou，sir，hadyounotbettergobacktoyourfriendsattheale—house？\"hereyes，ordinarilysokind，dartedflashesofangerasshespoke;andshetossedupherhead（whichhungdowncommonly）withthemienofaprincess。
\"Hey—day！\"saysmylord，whowasstandingbythefireplace——indeedhewasinthepositiontowhichhegenerallycamebythathouroftheevening——\"Hey—day！Rachel，whatareyouinapassionabout？
Ladiesoughtnevertobeinapassion。Oughtthey，DoctorTusher？
thoughitdoesgoodtoseeRachelinapassion——Damme，LadyCastlewood，youlookdev\'lishhandsomeinapassion。\"
\"Itis，mylord，becauseMr。HenryEsmond，havingnothingtodowithhistimehere，andnothavingatasteforourcompany，hasbeentotheale—house，wherehehasSOMEFRIENDS。\"
Mylordburstout，withalaughandanoath——\"Youyoungslyboots，you\'vebeenatNancySievewright。D———theyounghypocrite，who\'dhavethoughtitinhim？Isay，Tusher，he\'sbeenafter——\"
\"Enough，mylord，\"saidmylady，\"don\'tinsultmewiththistalk。\"
\"Uponmyword，\"saidpoorHarry，readytocrywithshameandmortification，\"thehonorofthatyoungpersonisperfectlyunstainedforme。\"
\"Oh，ofcourse，ofcourse，\"saysmylord，moreandmorelaughingandtipsy。\"UponhisHONOR，Doctor——NancySieve——……\"
\"TakeMistressBeatrixtobed，\"myladycriedatthismomenttoMrs。Tuckerherwoman，whocameinwithherladyship\'stea。\"Putherintomyroom——no，intoyours，\"sheaddedquickly。\"Go，mychild:go，Isay:notaword！\"AndBeatrix，quitesurprisedatsosuddenatoneofauthorityfromonewhowasseldomaccustomedtoraisehervoice，wentoutoftheroomwithascaredcountenance，andwaitedeventoburstouta—cryinguntilshegottothedoorwithMrs。Tucker。
Foroncehermothertooklittleheedofhersobbing，andcontinuedtospeakeagerly——\"Mylord，\"shesaid，\"thisyoungman——yourdependant——toldmejustnowinFrench——hewasashamedtospeakinhisownlanguage——thathehadbeenattheale—houseallday，wherehehashadthatlittlewretchwhoisnowillofthesmall—poxonhisknee。Andhecomeshomereekingfromthatplace——yes，reekingfromit——andtakesmyboyintohislapwithoutshame，andsitsdownbyme，yes，byME。HemayhavekilledFrankforwhatIknow——
killedourchild。Whywashebroughtintodisgraceourhouse？
Whyishehere？Lethimgo——lethimgo，Isay，to—night，andpollutetheplacenomore。\"
ShehadneveronceutteredasyllableofunkindnesstoHarryEsmond;andhercruelwordssmotethepoorboy，sothathestoodforsomemomentsbewilderedwithgriefandrageattheinjusticeofsuchastabfromsuchahand。Heturnedquitewhitefromred，whichhehadbeen。
\"Icannothelpmybirth，madam，\"hesaid，\"normyothermisfortune。
Andasforyourboy，if——ifmycomingnightohimpolluteshimnow，itwasnotsoalways。Good—night，mylord。Heavenblessyouandyoursforyourgoodnesstome。Ihavetiredherladyship\'skindnessout，andIwillgo;\"and，sinkingdownonhisknee，HarryEsmondtooktheroughhandofhisbenefactorandkissedit。
\"Hewantstogototheale—house——lethimgo，\"criedmylady。
\"I\'md——difheshall，\"saidmylord。\"Ididn\'tthinkyoucouldbesod——dungrateful，Rachel。\"
Herreplywastoburstintoafloodoftears，andtoquittheroomwitharapidglanceatHarryEsmond，——asmylord，notheedingthem，andstillingreatgood—humor，raiseduphisyoungclientfromhiskneelingposture（forathousandkindnesseshadcausedtheladtoreveremylordasafather），andputhisbroadhandonHarryEsmond\'sshoulder。
\"Shewasalwaysso，\"mylordsaid;\"theverynotionofawomandriveshermad。Itooktoliquoronthatveryaccount，byJove，fornootherreasonthanthat;forshecan\'tbejealousofabeer—
barrelorabottleofrum，canshe，Doctor？D———it，lookatthemaids——justlookatthemaidsinthehouse\"（mylordpronouncedallthewordstogether——just—look—at—the—maze—in—the—house:jever—see—
such—maze？）\"Youwouldn\'ttakeawifeoutofCastlewoodnow，wouldyou，Doctor？\"andmylordburstoutlaughing。
TheDoctor，whohadbeenlookingatmyLordCastlewoodfromunderhiseyelids，said，\"Butjokingapart，and，mylord，asadivine，I
cannottreatthesubjectinajocularlight，nor，asapastorofthiscongregation，lookwithanythingbutsorrowattheideaofsoveryyoungasheepgoingastray。\"
\"Sir，\"saidyoungEsmond，burstingoutindignantly，\"shetoldmethatyouyourselfwereahorridoldman，andhadofferedtokissherinthedairy。\"
\"Forshame，Henry，\"criedDoctorTusher，turningasredasaturkey—cock，whilemylordcontinuedtoroarwithlaughter。\"Ifyoulistentothefalsehoodsofanabandonedgirl——\"
\"SheisashonestasanywomaninEngland，andaspureforme，\"
criedoutHenry，\"and，askind，andasgood。Forshameonyoutomalignher！\"
\"Farbeitfrommetodoso，\"criedtheDoctor。\"HeavengrantI
maybemistakeninthegirl，andinyou，sir，whohaveatrulyPRECOCIOUSgenius;butthatisnotthepointatissueatpresent。
Itappearsthatthesmall—poxbrokeoutinthelittleboyatthe\'ThreeCastles;\'thatitwasonhimwhenyouvisitedtheale—house，foryourOWNreasons;andthatyousatwiththechildforsometime，andimmediatelyafterwardswithmyyounglord。\"TheDoctorraisedhisvoiceashespoke，andlookedtowardsmylady，whohadnowcomeback，lookingverypale，withahandkerchiefinherhand。
\"Thisisallverytrue，sir，\"saidLadyEsmond，lookingattheyoungman。
\"\'Tistobefearedthathemayhavebroughttheinfectionwithhim。\"
\"Fromtheale—house——yes，\"saidmylady。
\"D———it，IforgotwhenIcollaredyou，boy，\"criedmylord，steppingback。\"Keepoff，Harrymyboy;there\'snogoodinrunningintothewolf\'sjaws，youknow。\"
Myladylookedathimwithsomesurprise，andinstantlyadvancingtoHenryEsmond，tookhishand。\"Ibegyourpardon，Henry，\"shesaid;\"Ispokeveryunkindly。Ihavenorighttointerferewithyou——withyour——\"
Mylordbrokeoutintoanoath。\"Can\'tyouleavetheboyalone，mylady？\"Shelookedalittlered，andfaintlypressedthelad\'shandasshedroppedit。
\"Thereisnouse，mylord，\"shesaid;\"Frankwasonhiskneeashewasmakingpictures，andwasrunningconstantlyfromHenrytome。
Theevilisdone，ifany。\"
\"Notwithme，damme，\"criedmylord。\"I\'vebeensmoking，\"——andhelightedhispipeagainwithacoal——\"anditkeepsoffinfection;
andasthediseaseisinthevillage——plaguetakeit——Iwouldhaveyouleaveit。We\'llgoto—morrowtoWalcote，mylady。\"
\"Ihavenofear，\"saidmylady;\"Imayhavehaditasaninfant:itbrokeoutinourhousethen;andwhenfourofmysistershaditathome，twoyearsbeforeourmarriage，Iescapedit，andtwoofmydearsistersdied。\"
\"Iwon\'truntherisk，\"saidmylord;\"I\'masboldasanyman，butI\'llnotbearthat。\"
\"TakeBeatrixwithyouandgo，\"saidmylady。\"Forusthemischiefisdone;andTuckercanwaituponus，whohashadthedisease。\"
\"Youtakecaretochoose\'emuglyenough，\"saidmylord，atwhichherladyshiphungdownherheadandlookedfoolish:andmylord，callingawayTusher，badehimcometotheoakparlorandhaveapipe。TheDoctormadealowbowtoherladyship（ofwhichsalaamshewasprofuse），andwalkedoffonhiscreakingsquare—toesafterhispatron。
Whentheladyandtheyoungmanwerealone，therewasasilenceofsomemoments，duringwhichhestoodatthefire，lookingrathervacantlyatthedyingembers，whilstherladyshipbusiedherselfwiththetambour—frameandneedles。
\"Iamsorry，\"shesaid，afterapause，inahard，dryvoice，——\"I
REPEATIamsorrythatIshowedmyselfsoungratefulforthesafetyofmyson。Itwasnotatallmywishthatyoushouldleaveus，I
amsure，unlessyoufoundpleasureelsewhere。Butyoumustperceive，Mr。Esmond，thatatyourage，andwithyourtastes，itisimpossiblethatyoucancontinuetostayupontheintimatefootinginwhichyouhavebeeninthisfamily。YouhavewishedtogototheUniversity，andIthink\'tisquiteaswellthatyoushouldbesentthither。Ididnotpressthismatter，thinkingyouachild，asyouare，indeed，inyears——quiteachild;andIshouldneverhavethoughtoftreatingyouotherwiseuntil——untiltheseCIRCUMSTANCEScametolight。AndIshallbegmylordtodespatchyouasquickaspossible:andwillgoonwithFrank\'slearningaswellasIcan，（Iowemyfatherthanksforalittlegrounding，andyou，I\'msure，formuchthatyouhavetaughtme，）——and——andIwishyouagood—night，Mr。Esmond。\"
Andwiththisshedroppedastatelycurtsy，and，takinghercandle，wentawaythroughthetapestrydoor，whichledtoherapartments。
Esmondstoodbythefireplace，blanklystaringafterher。Indeed，hescarceseemedtoseeuntilshewasgone;andthenherimagewasimpresseduponhim，andremainedforeverfixeduponhismemory。
Hesawherretreating，thetaperlightinguphermarbleface，herscarletlipquivering，andhershininggoldenhair。Hewenttohisownroom，andtobed，wherehetriedtoread，ashiscustomwas;
butheneverknewwhathewasreadinguntilafterwardsherememberedtheappearanceofthelettersofthebook（itwasinMontaigne\'sEssays），andtheeventsofthedaypassedbeforehim——
thatis，ofthelasthouroftheday;forasforthemorning，andthepoormilkmaidyonder，heneversomuchasoncethought。Andhecouldnotgettosleepuntildaylight，andwokewithaviolentheadache，andquiteunrefreshed。
Hehadbroughtthecontagionwithhimfromthe\"ThreeCastles\"sureenough，andwaspresentlylaidupwiththesmallpox，whichsparedthehallnomorethanitdidthecottage。
CHAPTERIX。
IHAVETHESMALL—POX，ANDPREPARETOLEAVECASTLEWOOD。
WhenHarryEsmondpassedthroughthecrisisofthatmalady，andreturnedtohealthagain，hefoundthatlittleFrankEsmondhadalsosufferedandralliedafterthedisease，andtheladyhismotherwasdownwithit，withacouplemoreofthehousehold。\"ItwasaProvidence，forwhichwealloughttobethankful，\"DoctorTushersaid，\"thatmyladyandhersonwerespared，whileDeathcarriedoffthepoordomesticsofthehouse;\"andrebukedHarryforasking，inhissimpleway，Forwhichweoughttobethankful——thattheservantswerekilled，orthegentlefolksweresaved？NorcouldyoungEsmondagreeintheDoctor\'svehementprotestationstomylady，whenhevisitedherduringherconvalescence，thatthemaladyhadnotintheleastimpairedhercharms，andhadnotbeenchurlenoughtoinjurethefairfeaturesoftheViscountessofCastlewood;whereas，inspiteofthesefinespeeches，Harrythoughtthatherladyship\'sbeautywasverymuchinjuredbythesmall—pox。